Kaye surprises with AmDTuning.com deal

AmD Tuning.com has agreed terms with James Kaye to join the team for the 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season, it has been confirmed

Kaye, a veteran of more than 280 BTCC races, will do battle for the Jack Sears Trophy at the wheel of the AmDTuning.com Volkswagen Golf in what will be his first full season in the series since 2006.

The 49-year-old joins the West Thurrock-based team having enjoyed years of success in the BTCC in the past, winning the Independents title on two occasions in the 1990s and also securing production class honours in 2002.

Kaye's best result to date in the BTCC was a fine third place finish at Oulton Park in 2006 while driving a Honda Civic for the Synchro Motorsport team, while his last taste of the BTCC came in 2010 when he competed in the final two rounds of the year in a Honda Integra run by WRC Developments with Barwell.

“It's a few years since I last competed in the BTCC, but I'm delighted to have the chance to make a return this season,” he said. “I've known Shaun for quite a few years now and it's great that we have been able to do a deal that will see me in the Volkswagen this season.

“We know that we won't be running at the front of the field against the NGTC cars with the rules as they are for this season, but I think we have a good package amongst the Jack Sears Trophy runners and even though I've not been on the grid for a while, I'm confident we'll quickly be up to speed and right in contention for honours amongst the S2000 cars.”

Team principal Shaun Hollamby said he was delighted to have the experienced racer onboard for the season ahead, with confidence high of a strong challenge for the new Jack Sears Trophy – set up by series bosses to reward those teams still using older, Super 2000-based cars.

“It's fantastic to have James on board for this season,” he said. “He is a hugely experienced driver when it comes to the BTCC and our aim for the year ahead is to see him challenge for the Jack Sears Trophy and also to battle for top ten finishes, as we have achieved in the past two years.

“While we have made no secret of our plans to work towards running an NGTC car, we always said we would love to continue our relationship with the Golf if the chance arose and it's good that we've be able to do a deal with James to have the car on track again this season.

“I have no doubt it will be a strong contender amongst the S2000 cars and is more than capable of taking the Jack Sears Trophy. With an experienced driver like James behind the wheel, that has to be our goal.”

While work continues behind the scenes on a move towards a Next Generation Touring Car for the future, AmDTuning.com could yet run two S2000-based cars during the 2013 season if the right driver can be found, with a deal on the table to run an ex-Motorbase Ford Focus.

“If the right person comes along, we could run the Ford this season as part of a two-car BTCC programme,” Hollamby said, “and we'd be keen to speak to anyone who is interested in getting on the grid this season about what we can offer.”

Talks are also ongoing with interested parties about an additional programme in the British GT Championship.

“As a team we are always looking to grow, and over the winter we have spoken to a number of drivers about running cars in the British GT Championship,” Hollamby said. “Those talks are ongoing, but we are certainly keen to speak to people who are looking to be on the grid both this season and in 2014 as we look to expand our motorsport activities.”